Audio Help
Answers to common questions
What formats are available?
The on-demand audio is available as Windows Media. Podcasts are in MP3 format. Most Media players can handle one or the other format.
Some pages also have links for Ogg Vorbis and MP3
The live streams are only Windows Media at present.
What do I need to listen to the live streams?
- For Windows PCs use Windows Media Player.
- For the Mac OSX we suggest VLC Media Player. This player is also available for all other major platforms
Virtually all other players can play the MP3 format.
Media Player in Vista has stopped playing your streams. How do I fix it?
Start (bottom left of screen)
- default programs
change autoplay settings
restore all defaults
- set program access and computer defaults
scroll down ... choose Windows Media Player as default .. click OK.
If this does not work, you will need to contact the supplier of your PC or Microsoft for assistance.
How do I set up VLC on Mac OSX ?
It is not possible to get VLC to automatically launch when you click on the live stream links, but it is possible to have a file on you computer that activates the live stream. Do the following.
1. Save the live stream file onto your desktop. Do this by right clicking on the nation live stream link (or control + click if you have a one button mouse) and selecting Download linked file.
2. Click on the file you just downloaded and press command + I. this will bring up the information window.
3. In the name and extension section change the name to "RNZ National Live"
4. In the Open With section, change the dropdown to VLC.
5. Close the Information window.
You should now be able to double click on the new file and it will open VLC and play right away.
Why are you using proprietary formats?
Both Windows Media and MP3 are proprietary formats, although MP3 has a more open licensing scheme. Windows Media offers us the ability to encapsulate several different streams into one connection. This allows the quality of the service to automatically adjust to speed of your connection.
When we started the streaming service, the majority of internet users used Windows which had Media Player already installed. We want to make it easy to listen to our content for the majority of people visiting.
The use of Windows Media as the primary streaming format is under review as at February 2011.
MP3 is provided for on-demand listening for those who prefer that format, although it does not have the capability to adjust to the speed of your connection. OGG is provided for most programmes as a non-patent encumbered format.
As other technologies evolve and become available, such as the BBC's initiative to develop an truly open streaming format, we may change the formats offered.
The audio sounds worse than a cell phone call - why?
It is likely that you are using an older version of media player, or may be connected to the backup server which has limited bandwidth.
If you are using Media Player you can download a codec to solve this problem.
If you think you are using the backup stream, try disconnecting and reopening the stream.
How do I change audio format?
Click on the audio button which is at the top of every page and then follow the audio preferences link. On the audio preferences page select your preferred format. Press the save button. This feature sets a cookie in your web browser that remembers your preference. Once you have set a preference, all audio links will use the chosen format. In some cases (such as the live stream) we only offer Windows Media Format.
What data rates are there?
The standard service has a data rate of 24 kbs. This is roughly equivalent to AM radio quality and is delivered from a server in California.
There is also an enhanced service, with rates between 48 kbs and 64 kbs stereo depending on the material. These rates are automatically available only if your ISP chooses to allow you to connect with one our servers in New Zealand. This is called peering and usually occurs at one of the New Zealand Internet Exchanges. For more information see our peering information page.
Why is my ISP is charging me international traffic rates for your audio content?
Some NZ based ISPs only allow their customers to connect to our US server, which is why it counts as international traffic. You will need to contact your ISP directly about this problem as we are unable to change which servers an ISP allows their customers to connect to.
I am connected to an Exchange. Can I get the content for free?
Yes. If you peer at APE, WIX, PNIX or 3CIX the Radio NZ audio streams do not incur traffic charges.
How can I listen on my iPhone
For on-demand content you can download the Radio New Zealand iPhone application.
For live streaming the best option at the moment is fstream for iPhone.
To use this application download it first and go to the favourites screen. Add a new favourite and name it Radio NZ. The URL you need is:
http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/live/national/adaptive.asx
Going back to the home screen, tapping on Radio NZ should start streaming after a short period of buffering.
The stream is a fixed data rate of 32 kb/s. Be aware that this will use data on you phone if you are connected by 3g.
Please note that this is not officially supported, and is provided to fill the gap until live streaming is added to our iPhone application.
Where are the Podcasts?
Right here!